German chamomile

Overview

Chamomile is one of the most popular herbs in the Western world. There are two plants known as chamomile: the more popular German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman, or English, chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Although they belong to different species, they are used to treat the same health problems. Both are used to calm frayed nerves, to treat stomach problems, to relieve muscle spasms, and to treat skin conditions and mild infections.

Chamomile has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. Historically, it has been used to treat many conditions, including:

Chest colds

Sore throats

Abscesses

Gum inflammation (gingivitis)

Anxiety

Insomnia

Psoriasis

Acne

Eczema

Minor first-degree burns

Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis)

Stomach ulcers

Children's conditions such as chickenpox, diaper rash, and colic

Although chamomile is popular, there aren't many studies that look at whether it works to treat these conditions. Animal studies have shown that German chamomile reduces inflammation, speeds wound healing, reduces muscle spasms, and serves as a mild sedative to help with sleep. But there are very few studies to see if the same is true in people. Test tube studies have shown that chamomile can kill bacteria, fungus, and viruses.

Anxiety, insomnia

Most people in the U.S. who take chamomile use it to relieve anxiety or help them sleep. So far there has been only one controlled, randomized clinical trial using chamomile to treat anxiety in people. It found that chamomile capsules reduced symptoms of anxiety in people with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Animal studies have found that low doses of chamomile may relieve anxiety, while higher doses help sleep.

Digestive problems

Chamomile has been used traditionally to treat stomach cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, diarrhea, gas, and colic. It helps relax muscle contractions, particularly in the smooth muscles that make up the intestines. But there are no good human studies on any of these conditions. One analysis of several studies found that a product with a combination of the herb iberis, peppermint, and chamomile helped relieve symptoms of indigestion.

Gingivitis, mouth sores

Some people us chamomile for these mouth problems. But so far there is no evidence that it works. When used as a mouthwash, there's some evidence that chamomile may help prevent mouth sores from radiation and chemotherapy -- but here again, the results from studies are mixed.

Skin irritations, eczema

Chamomile is often used in a cream or ointment to soothe irritated skin, especially in Europe. Most evidence comes from animal studies, not studies with people. Two studies in people found that a chamomile cream helped relieve symptoms of eczema.

Plant Description

The tiny daisy-like flowers of German chamomile have white collars circling raised, cone-shaped, yellow centers and are less than an inch wide, growing on long, thin, light green stems. Sometimes chamomile grows wild and close to the ground, but you can also find it bordering herb gardens. It can reach up to 3 feet high. German chamomile is native to Europe, north Africa, and some parts of Asia. It is closely related to Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), which, although less commonly used, has many of the same medicinal properties.

What's It Made Of?

Chamomile teas, ointments, and extracts all start with the white and yellow flower head. The flower heads may be dried and used in teas or capsules, or crushed and steamed to produce a blue oil, which is used as medicine. The oil contains ingredients that reduce swelling and may stop the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Available Forms

German chamomile is available as dried flower heads, tea, liquid extract, capsules, and topical ointment.

How to Take It

Pediatric

Ask your doctor before giving chamomile tea to a child. Children under 5 should not take more than half a cup of tea per day.

To relieve colic: Some doctors suggest 1 - 2 oz. of tea per day. Your doctor may recommend other doses.

Gargle or mouthwash: Make a tea as above, then let it cool. Gargle as often as desired. You may also make an oral rinse with 10 - 15 drops of German chamomile liquid extract in 100 mL warm water, and use 3 times per day.

Inhalation: Add a few drops of essential oil of chamomile to hot water (or use tea) and breathe in the steam to calm a cough.

Bath: Use 1/4 lb. of dried flowers per bath, or add 5 - 10 drops of essential oil to a full tub of water to soothe hemorrhoids, cuts, eczema, or insect bites.

Poultice: Make a paste by mixing powdered herb with water and apply to inflamed skin.

Cream: Use a cream with a 3 - 10% chamomile content for psoriasis, eczema, or dry and flaky skin.

Precautions

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.

German chamomile is considered generally safe.

Chamomile may make asthma worse, so people with asthma should not take it.

Pregnant women should avoid chamomile because of the risk of miscarriage.

Chamomile may act like estrogen in the body, so women with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast or uterine cancer, should ask their doctors before taking it.

If you are allergic to asters, daisies, chrysanthemums, or ragweed, you may also be allergic to chamomile.

Stop taking chamomile at least 2 weeks before surgery or dental surgery, because of the risk of bleeding.

Possible Interactions

If you take any of the following drugs, you should not use German chamomile without first talking to your health care provider:

Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants and antiplatelets) -- Chamomile may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood-thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and aspirin.

Sedatives -- Chamomile can make these drugs stronger, including:

Anti-seizure medications, such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and valproic acid (Depakote)

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